Vocabulary
This court appearance informs the accused of charges and asks them to plead
What is an arraignment?
This is the first chance for the defense to see the prosecution’s evidence.
What is the preliminary hearing?
This is the process of questioning jurors before selecting a jury.
What is voir dire?
This term describes when an appellate court upholds a lower court’s decision.
What is affirmation?
This evidence tends to show the defendant did not commit the crime.
What is exculpatory evidence?
This is the taking of a person into custody for criminal prosecution.
What is an arrest?
This type of warrant is issued directly by the court itself.
What is a bench warrant?
This type of challenge dismisses a juror for reasons that do not need to be stated.
What is a peremptory challenge?
This decision reverses a case but sends it back to the lower court for further action.
What is reverse-and-remand?
A written criminal charge filed without a grand jury.
What is an information?
This type of crime is usually punishable by more than one year in prison.
What is a felony?
This occurs when the accused refuses to enter a plea.
What is standing mute?
A jury reaching a verdict contrary to the evidence is called this.
What is jury nullification?
This writ challenges the legality of someone’s imprisonment.
What is habeas corpus?
This procedure allows each side to obtain information from the other before trial.
What is discovery?
This written accusation is submitted to a grand jury by the prosecutor.
What is a bill of indictment?
These warnings are only required when someone is in custody and is being interrogated.
What are Miranda warnings?
Evidence based on personal observation by a witness is this type.
What is direct evidence?
This plea claims innocence but accepts a guilty plea for strategic reasons.
What is an Alford plea?
This type of evidence is based on deductions rather than direct observation.
What is circumstantial evidence?
This plea means “no contest.”
What is nolo contendere?
This type of detention without bail is meant to prevent future crimes.
What is preventive detention?
This motion seeks acquittal before the defense presents evidence, claiming insufficient proof by the prosecution.
What is a motion for a directed verdict of acquittal?
This decision overturns a conviction entirely.
What is reversal?
This motion seeks dismissal of charges by the prosecutor.
What is a nolle prosequi motion?